SERMON  COMMEMORATIVE  OF 

BISHOP  AUER, 

PREACHED  BY  THE 

RT.  REV.  G.  T.  BEDE  EL.  D.D.,  IN  CALVARY  CHURCH, 

NEW  YORK,  OCT.  15,  1874. 


St.  Mark  ix.  23.— All  things  are  possible  to  him  that  believeth. 


NEW  YORK : 

Foreign  Committee,  Board  op  Missions,  23  Bible  House, 

1874. 


SEE  LAST  PAGE  OF  COVER. 


SERMON  COMMEMORATIVE  OF 

BISHOP  AUER. 


.Preached  by  the  Rt.  Rev,  G.  T.  Bedell ,  I). D.,  in  Calvary  Church,  New 

York,  Oct.  15,  1874. 

St.  Mark  ix.  aj. — All  things  are  possible  to  him  that  believeth. 

Such  believers  are  rare.  But  the  grace  of  God  has  given  some  to  the 
Church  in  every  age  ;  and  in  this  age  a  Gottlieb  Auer.  I  am  to  tell  you  the 
brief  story  of  his  life  ;  the  life  of  a  man  to  whom  nothing  seemed  impossi¬ 
ble  for  Christ's  sake.  I  desire  to  magnify  the  grace  of  God  toward  him  ; 
for  the  Holy  Spirit  so  exhibited  in  him  faith  in  Christ  and  self-devotion  to 
Christ,  that  he  rightfully  takes  a  place  among  the  noble  army  of  Missionary 
martyrs  whose  memory  the  Church  delights  to  cherish. 

A  master  of  words  has  said  that  “  The  world  of  ordinary  phenomena  and 
the  world  of  miracles  are  lying  on  two  parallel  planes.  On  the  higher  plane 
miracles  are  as  natural  as  on  the  lower — they  are  extraordinary.  Faith  raises 
a  believer  from  the  lower  to  the  higher,  and  makes  his  life — which  other 
men  call  miraculous— an  ordinary  and  natural  existence." 

Accordingly,  I  remember,  once  the  disciples  were  out  on  the  Sea  ol 
Galilee  by  night.  One  of  the  sharp  gusts  from  the  mountain  came  sweep¬ 
ing  down  on  their  fishing  boat,  and  they  had  hard  labor  to  stand  by  their 
oars.  In  the  darkness  and  turmoil  the  Master  approached,  walking  on  the 
sea.  It  was  as  natural  for  Him  to  walk  there  as  it  was  for  Peter  to  sink  to 
the  lower  level.  Yet  when,  at  Jesus’  call,  Peter  stepped  on  the  rough 
water,  his  faith  enabled  him  to  walk  on  the  same  plane  with  Christ  for  a 
moment.  I  think  Auer  could  have  gone  all  the  way  to  Jesus. 

On  another  occasion,  when  the  night  wind  from  Cedron  became  entangled 
in  the  olives,  but  amidst  the  silence  of  nature,  a  storm  of  grief  and  fear  was 


2 


working  wreck  in  the  disciples’  hearts,  Peter,  thinking  that  he  was  standing- 
on  the  same  plane  with  his  Master,  cried  out :  “Lord  !  I  will  follow  Thee 
to  prison  and  to  death  !  ”  But  the  waves  of  a  spirit  tossed  by  any  divided 
love  are  more  boisterous  than  Gennesareth  in  its  wildest  mood ;  and  Peter 
sank  in  them.  I  shall  give  you  evidence  of  Auer’s  self-devotion  to  Christ. 
Perhaps  you  will  decide  that  he  walked  so  steadily  along  that  higher  plane, 
where  conscious  self-consecration  to  the  Saviour  finds  nothing  impossible 
for  His  dear  sake,  that  he  is  worthy  to  have  a  name  among  the  mighty  men 
who  have  gone  with  Christ  through  miracles  of  endurance,  and  have  died 
for  Him. 

In  November  of  1854,  seventy  candidates  for  Missionary  life  from  various 
parts  of  Switzerland  and  Germany  were  pressing  their  claims  to  be  admitted 
to  the  school  at  Basle  at  the  same  moment.  Think  of  it  !  we  who  prate  of 
our  Church’s  zeal  in  Missions.  Seventy  candidates  for  Missions  at  Basle 
coming  in  together  on  one  day  !  Auer  was  among  them.  The  authorities 
at  Basle  test  every  applicant  at  the  outset,  try  the  spirit  that  is  in  them,  and 
the  stuff  they  are  made  of,  waste  no  money  in  experiments,  and  use  no  deli¬ 
cacy  in  expressing  their  judgments.  .  Out  of  that  seventy  only  eighteen  were 
accepted,  and  Auer  was  among  the  chosen  few  ;  and  so  was  Duerr  of  our 
German  Mission  in  Cleveland,  whose  loving  recollections  of  his  friend  Gott¬ 
lieb  furnish  many  particulars  of  this  sketch. 

John  Gottlieb  Auer  was  then  twenty-two  years  old,  having  been  born  in 
Neubulach,  in  Wurtemberg,  on  November  18,  1832.  His  parents  were 
respected  citizens  of  that  village  in  the  Black  Forest.  His  mother’s  name 
■was  Maria  Margarita  The  piety  of  the  mother  lived  again  in  the  son ; 
and  her  name,  therefore,  so  dear  to  him,  he  has  perpetuated  in  the  name 
of  his  only  daughter — one  of  the  Church’s  orphans — surviving  him  in 
Germany.  His  good  mother  laid  strong  foundations  for  that  character,  on 
which,  in  after  years,  God’s  grace  built  up  that  Christian  whom  we  knew. 

*•  “In  the  village  school,”  says  his  friend  Duerr,  “  he  was  distinguished  for 
his  clear  intellect,  quick  perception,  and  good  memory,  so  that  his  father 


3 


chose  Tor  him,  at  the  end  of  his  school  term,  the  profession  of  teacher. 
'When  he  had  fulfilled  his  term  of  preparation  for  this  office  at  college,  he 
immediately  received  an  appointment.  He  became  a  teacher  at  Geysburg, 
near  Stuttgart,  where  his  mental  ability  and  personal  amiability  soon  won 
Tor  him  the  affection  of  the  whole  town.”  Those  early  associations  never 
lost  their  power.  When  he  was  obliged  to  retire  for  a  time  from  Africa  in 
1872,  he  found  a  home  among  these  haunts  of  his  boyhood  ;  and  near  Stutt¬ 
gart  is  now  the  chosen  rest,  where  he  has  left  his  widow  and  three  children 
awaiting  whatever  expression  of  sympathy  his  Church  shall  send  to  cheer 
their  loneliness  and  poverty. 

When  he  entered  Geysburg  as  a  teacher,  he  was  not  a  devotedly  relig¬ 
ious  man.  The  seeds  of  early  training  had  taken  root ;  and  the  silently 
sure  process,  under  the  Holy  Spirit  was  making  itself  seen  in  contests  of  na¬ 
ture  with  this  grace.  His  strong  mind  and  stronger  will  yielded  reluct¬ 
antly  to  the  sovereign  love  of  Christ.  But  the  Great  Master  purposed  to 
-make  of  this  successful  village  teacher,  a  teacher  of  men  in  the  higher 
-school  of  His  Church,  and  so,  as  in  a  more  noted  instance,  Gottlieb  found 
at  hard  to  “  kick  against  the  pricks.”  “A  faithful  Clergyman  in  the  neigh¬ 
borhood  was  made  the  instrument  of  drawing  this  young  man’s  affections  to 
the  Saviour.”  His  conversion  was  characteristic.  He  yielded  reluctantly, 
as  did  St.  Paul  ;  but  when  he  resolved  to  serve  Christ,  like  St.  Paul,  he 
held  nothing  in  reserve.  Every  gift  and  acquisition  heretofore  devoted  to 
the  ambitions  of  life,  were  now  as  decidedly  consecrated  to  the  Lord’s  ser¬ 
vice.  He  became  unmistakably  a  Gott-lieb,  a  lover  of  God.  Immediately 
he  applied  for  instruction  and  commission  as  a  Missionary. 

On  the  road  to  Basle,  at  Baden-Baden,  Auer  and  Duerr  first  met.  An 
affection  sprang  up  between  the  two  young  students  which  was  life-long. 
How  singularly  God  often  interweaves  men’s  histories  ;  sometimes,  as  by  an 
irresistible  affinity,  drawing  them  into  unity  from  apparently  utter  separation. 
I  give  a  moment  to  this  thought,  for  it  belongs  to  the  web  we  are  unravel¬ 
ling.  These  two  friends  were  members  of  the  Evangelical  Church  of 


4 


Germany.  They  were  sent  as  Missionaries  of  that  Church  to  distant  fields*: 
one  to  Africa,  the  other  to  America.  In  Africa,  Auer  was  led  to  give  him¬ 
self  to  our  Church.  On  his  first  visit  to  America  he  searched  for  his  old 
friend,  led  him  to  our  Church,  and  induced  him  to  join  the  Mission  in 
Africa.  They  met  again  after  an  interval  of  ten  years  at  a  Mission  house, 
which  Auer  meanwhile  had  established  at  Gambier,  in  Ohio,  formed  on  the 
model  of  the  Mission  house  at  Basle.  Thence  Duerr  went  out  to  Africa^ 
But  he  was  soon  compelled  to  return,  for  his  work  lay  among  his  German 
countrymen,  settling  in  America.  Duerr  originated  what  we  know  as  “the 
German  movement  ”  toward  our  Church — still  progressing.  This  movement 
gave  an  impetus  to  the  choice  of  Auer  to  the  Episcopate.  And  then  once 
again  the  friends  met ;  for  the  earliest  official  act  of  Bishop  Auer  was  to  com- 
firm  a  class  of  Germans  whom  Duerr  had  instructed,  and  to  ordain  a  Ger¬ 
man  Deacon  whom  Duerr  presented. 

At  the  Mission  house  in  Basle  young  Auer  devoted  himself  to  study  and 
prayer.  “  He  distinguished  himself  in  every  department  of  learning,  but 
especially  by  an  original  and  practical  method  of  preaching/’  which  became 
characteristic.  None  who  heard  him  will  forget  that  peculiarity.  His  unex¬ 
pected,  pointed  thrusts  of  Scripture  texts,  applied  with  a  directness  which 
none  could  escape,  made  his  preaching  as  lively  as  a  battle  ;  kept  every  one 
busy  in  self-investigation  or  self-defence.  During  his  third  year  at  Basle, 
the  Lord  brought  him  to  death’s  door  by  a  painful  and  lingering  disease. 
To  him  it  was  only  part  of  the  schooling  in  patience  and  submission,  and 
he  graduated  in  that  department  with  a  first  degree.  To  the  Mission  house 
it  was  a  time  of  anxiety,  and  a  trial  of  faith.  They  watched  over  him  as  over 
a  son  or  a  brother,  and  Duerr  among  them,  most  devotedly,  and  they  prayed 
for  him  as  for  a  partner  in  their  own  life.  He  was  restored;  and  in  1858 
was  declared,  by  the  Faculty,  thoroughly  equipped  as  a  Missionary. 

The  influence  of  the  Basle  Mission  house  on  his  character  was  direct 
and  positive.  It  gave  practical  direction  to  his  natural  qualities,  and  com¬ 
pleted  his  thorough  engrossment  in  his  calling.  That  system  of  instruction. 


5 


is  directed  especially  to  three  points,  namely,  mastery  of  Scripture,  spiritual 
self-control,  and  a  knowledge  of  the  way  of  doing  things  in  every  day  life. 

Often  have  I  heard  him  thank  God  for  the  instruction  which  gave  him  a 
new  possession  in  the  Scripture.  He  read  with  ease  and  pleasure  in  the 
originals,  both  Old  and  New  Testaments.  He  had  investigated  and  had  a 
clear  theory  concerning  not  only  the  scope,  but  the  detailed  thought  in  each 
sacred  writing.  He  had  all  the  Epistles  by  heart.  He  could  seize  any  pas¬ 
sage  in  any  one  of  them,  and  tell  you — in  his  own  favorite  phrase — “  all 
that  went  before,  and  all  that  came  behind  it."  And  this  possession  of 
Scripture  gave  him  unwonted  power  as  a  Missionary  teacher. 

Self-discipline  and  spiritual  control  were  wrought  in  him  principally  by 
means  of  a  peculiar  method  of  meditative  prayer,  encouraged  at  Basle  ;  very 
like  the  better  side  of  the  old  monastic  discipline.  Auer  had  so  often 
spoken  of  it — and  indeed  of  all  his  indebtedness  to  Basle — that,  being  in 
Switzerland  in  1866,  I  made  a  pilgrimage  to  the  Mission  house  to  become 
acquainted  with  this  wonderful  system,  and  to  see  the  prayer  rooms.  Pass¬ 
ing  out  of  an  ancient  gate  of  the  picturesque  old  town,  and  turning  to  the 
left,  around  the  walls,  after  a  short  drive  within  the  suburbs,  we  came  to  an 
unpretending,  scholarly-looking  hall,  without  elegance  or  ornament,  stand¬ 
ing  in  a  quiet  enclosure  among  shrubbery  and  trees.  Close  behind  it  was 
a  practical  vegetable  garden,  and  on  one  side  a  range  of  outhouses  con¬ 
taining  various  shops.  Unfortunately  much  of  the  expected  interest  in  the 
visit  was  lost  because  it  was  vacation  time  ;  but  we  passed  through  the 
school-rooms  (at  which  our  American  collegians  would  shrug  their  shoul¬ 
ders),  and  the  dormitories  (at  which  our  theological  students  would  demur, 
as  being  somewhat  short  of  the  modern  ideas  of  separation  and  refinement). 
Every  arrangement  pointed  to  hard  work,  with  only  moderate  comfort ;  yet 
there  was  nothing  that  might  not  properly  be  seen  in  any  school  which  pur¬ 
poses  to  turn  students  into  men.  The  chapel  was  plain  and  small,  but  had 
a  big  organ  in  it.  Not  here,  however,  these  spiritual  men  grew  strong. 
When  we  reached  the  attic,  close  under  the  eaves,  we  saw  those  sacred  places 


6 


where  spiritual  victories  were  won  and  nerves  were  strung  for  spiritual  self- 
mastery.  Shall  we  call  them  cells  ?  They  were  solitary  places  for  private 
prayer,  for  communion  with  God  and  with  each  one’s  own  soul.  Here, 
discreetly  and  with  clear  perception  of  the  soul’s  need,  every  preparation 
indicated  separation  and  solitary  communings.  Perhaps  our  religion  in  this* 
Western  world  has  lost  something  of  individual  strength  by  its  perpetual 
sociability.  A  soul  that  is  growing  in  God’s  likeness  needs  often  to  be  alone 
with  God,  where  passing  objects  may  not  deflect  the  rays  of  His  gracious 
countenance,  and  whispers  of  the  world  may  not  disturb  the  communications 
of  His  will.  So  these  prayer  rooms  at  Basle  were  entirely  individualized. 
Each  student  had  his  own  room,  or  at  least  appointed  hours  in  the  use  of  it. 
There  was  no  furniture  except  a  little  stool.  The  Pastor  showed  us  the  room 
whither  Auer  used  to  bring  his  Bible,  and  the  stool  on  which  he  used  to 
sit.  There,  spending  an  hour  every  morning,  as  the  custom  was,  he  grew 
strong  through  prayer.  So  deeply  was  he  impressed  by  the  value  of  this 
spiritual  discipline,  that  the  very  first  thought  expressed  in  his  arrangements 
for  the  little  Mission  house  at  Gambier  was  to  prepare  a  set  of  these  little 
rooms  for  private  prayer. 

The  third  distinguishing  impression  made  on  his  habits  at  Basle  was 
this — it  is  right,  and  a  necessity,  and  respectable  for  a  Missionary  to  know 
how  to  do  useful  things  in  daily  life,  how  to  help  himself  and  others,  how  to 
turn  his  hand  to  anything.  The  students  at  Basle  are  taught  carpentering, 
blacksmithing,  bootmaking,  gardening — these  systematically  ;  and  a  little  of 
many  other  trades,  so  that  they  can  teach  natives  in  their  Mission  fields  the 
arts  of  civilized  life,  and  on  occasion  supply  their  own  wants.  Bishop 
Auer’s  experience  satisfied  him  that  this  early  lesson  was  wise.  His  facility 
in  handicrafts  added  to  his  influence  over  the  natives  in  Africa,  and  made 
him  a  desirable  member  of  a  Mission.  He  gained  many  converts  to  their 
views  in  America ;  not  one  too  many:  for,  without  doubt,  the  arts  of  civili¬ 
zation  are  true  handmaidens  of  Christianity.  The  last  time  I  met  the. 
Bishop,  he  was  searching,  not  after  a  preacher,  but  for  a  Christian  carpenter.. 


7 


Thus  furnished  by  habits  formed  in  the  Mission  house  at  Basle,  he  went 

>  -  r  * 

out  in  1858  to  Akrapong,  among  theAkrapim  Mountains,  a  German  Mission 
station  in  the  rear  of  the  gold  coast,  south  and  east  of  Cape  Palmas,  and 
became  a  teacher  in  their  seminary. 

About  the  same  time  there  was  crossing  the  Atlantic  from  America,  to> 
our  Mission  in  Africa,  on  her  second  voyage,  a  Christian  woman,  whose 
influence  was  destined  to  be  critical  over  the  history  of  Brother  Auer. 

Miss  Mary  Ball  of  Philadelphia  was  singularly  fitted  for  a  Missionary, 
both  by  natural  disposition  and  by  grace.  Solidly  educated,  cheerful, 
sprightly,  a  self-possessed  and  hopeful  Christian,  she  inspired  every  one 
with  her  own  confidence.  She  very  quickly  became  a  centre  of  influence  in 
Africa.  On.  this  second  voyage  out,  God’s  Providence  tested  her  presence  of 
mind  and  her  quickness  of  resource  ;  tested  her  vigorous  resolution.  She 
had  embarked  in  a  small  brigantine.  Square  rigged  on  the  foremast,  this 
vessel  carried  a  schooner’s  sail  on  the  mainmast ;  and  the  boom  swept  over 
the  quarter  deck,  so  low  as  just  to  clear  the  head  of  the  companion  way. 
One  evening,  in  mid  ocean,  with  a  brisk  wind  and  a  rough  sea,  the  vessel 
going  rapidly,  every  sail  drawing  steadily,  the  man  at  the  helm  the  only 
seaman  on  the  quarter  deck,  Miss  Ball  stepped  up  the  companion  way  to 
enjoy  a  breath  of  air  before  retiring.  Just  as  she  reached  the  highest  step, 
the  vessel  lurched,  the  boom  swung  over,  and  instantly  she  was  swept  out¬ 
side  the  low  bulwarks.  So  sudden  was  it,  that  the  man  at  the  wheel  saw 
only  something  white  passing  over  the  side,  which  he  hardly  distinguished 
from  the  flapping  sail  ;  and  was  startled  by  hearing  a  familiar  voice,  appar¬ 
ently  from  the  ocean,  crying  for  help.  In  the  moment  of  passing  over  the 
bulwarks  her  hand  touched  a  small  rope  fastened  on  the  boom,  and  grasped 
it.  It  held  ;  she  clung  to  it,  her  feet  almost  touching  the  sea,  and  as  she 
swung  at  every  rise  of  the  vessel,  she  was  thrown  against  its  side.  Yet  there 
she  held,  until  help  came  at  last  to  the  brave-hearted  woman. 

It  was  her  influence  that  subsequently  led  Gottlieb  Auer  into  our  Mis¬ 
sion,  taught  him  to  love  our  Church,  and  gave  to  us  the  best  portions  of  his 
Missionary  life. 


8 


rIn  1862  he  dissolved  his  connection  with  the  Missionary  Society  at  Basle. 
Having  been  acquainted  with  our  ecclesiastical  system  during  a  visit  to  Cape 
Palmas,  admiring  its  coherence  and  practical  efficiency,  encouraged  too  by 
his  Lutheran  view  of  Episcopacy,  he  offered  himself  as  a  candidate  for  our 
Ministry,  and  was  ordained  by  Bishop  Payne,  in  the  Church  of  the  Epiphany, 
Cavalla.  He  threw  himself  instantly  into  our  Missionary  work,  with  his 
wonted  undivided  energy.  It  soon  became  wearing  ;  for  the  climate  of  our 
Missionary  coast  is  less  salubrious  than  that  of  the  Mountains  of  Akrapim. 
Soon  he  was  subjected  to  trials  also,  and  at  last  to  bereavement.  In 
February,  1863,  his  wife  died  ;  and  shortly  after,  he  sailed  for  America,  sadly 
broken  by  labor  and  sorrow.  This  visit  was  a  first  acquaintance  with  the 
country  of  his  adopted  Church.  He  brought  with  him  his  infant  son.  This 
Willie — a  bright  active  spirit,  cheerful  as  his  mother,  energetic  as  his  father 
— developed  an  intense  love  in  Auers  soul,  which  thenceforth  became  a 
characteristic.  His  letters  are  full  of  it.  Whether  in  grave  or  playful  moods, 
Willie  is  on  his  heart,  and  his  name  slips  from  his  pen.  Giving  a  sketch  of 
a  Missionary  meeting,  or  describing  a  Fair,  or  commemorating  the  precious 
graves  in  Africa — beside  which  now  his  wearied  body  rests — a  parenthesis, 
surcharged  with  love  for  Willie,  startles  you  as  you  read,  by  a  flash  of  intensest 
affection,  showing  of  what  the  man  was  capable. 

This  boy  is  now  verging  on  years  for  College  training.  He  is  left  (and 
two  other  children)  to  the  compassionate  care  of  his  mother  the  Church. 
What  do  you  mean  to  do  with  them,  and  for  them,  my  brethren  ?  The 
Church  has  no  home  for  the  orphans  of  its  Missionaries  ;  no  restful  refuge 
for  the  widows  and  the  fatherless,  whose  natural  protector  has  worn  himself 
out  in  our  service.  What  do  you  mean  to  do  for  this  boy  in  whom  the  Mis¬ 
sionary  Auer’s  soul  was  wrapped  up  ?  It  is  a  very  practical  question.  It  should 
have  some  practical  solution  to-night  ;  for  it  is  pertinent  to  this  commemo¬ 
ration,  and  to  the  generous  decisions  of  you  who  hear  and  feel. 

On  arriving  in  America,  rest  was  a  first  necessity.  But  that  necessity  was 
a  burden  on  his  restless  activity.  The  moment  he  felt  the  effects  of  the 


9 


natural  resiliency  of  his  constitution,  and  encouraged  by  our  temperate 
air,  and  the  affectionate  sympathy  of  his  new-found  home,  he  sprang  to 
work.  In  every  direction  he  awakened  a  new,  strange  interest  in  Africa, 
by  a  style  of  address  perfectly  original.  He  had  a  novel  way  of  putting 
things.  He  had  a  confidence  in  the  future  of  Africa,  which  was  charming. 
There  was  a  merry  twinkle  sometimes,  between  indignant  flashes  of  his 
eye  ;  and  amusing  bits  of  African  nature,  and  African  wit,  were  let  in 
amongst  his  gravest  pictures  of  that  degraded  heathenism,  which  were 
positively  captivating.  Smiling  through  their  tears,  his  audiences  caught 
a  new,  true  view  of  realities  in  Missionary  experience,  and  of  possibili¬ 
ties  for  the  Gospel  in  Africa.  His  statements  carried  conviction.  His 
earnestness  was  contagious.  Consciences  which  were  idle  or  listless,  could 
not  repose  when  Auer  was  speaking ;  and  there  was  an  unmistakable 
revival  of  Missionary  spirit  during  the  three  years  of  his  labors  in  our 
country. 

As  a  specimen  of  labor,  not  unusual,  he  writes:  “Last  Sunday  I 
preached  in  German  in  the  morning,  in  the  afternoon  spoke  a  little  in  the 
Sunday-school,  and  then  preached  a  very  long  Missionary  sermon,  and  in 
the  evening  preached  in  English.”  Again  :  “I  have  had  a  splendid  time 
here  at  Georgetown  with  Mr.  Atkins,  and  at  Richmond  ;  also  a  pleasant 
evening  at  Bishop  Payne’s  residence.  Shall  speak  at  Emmanuel  Church, 
Philadelphia,  on  Wednesday  evening.  Sunday  in  Baltimore,  Monday  at 
Annapolis,  Tuesday  at  Easton.  Then  a  week  in  Philadelphia,  then  to  New 
York.  '’  “I  have  preached  nine  times  this  week,  and  talked  incessantly.  My 
naps  I  take  in  the  train.”  His  constant  correspondence  during  these  busy  days, 
surprised  his  friends,  but  the  explanation  equally  distressed  them,  “I  sel¬ 
dom  shut  my  eyes  before  twelve.”  Nervous  exhaustion  follows  such  a  mode 
of  working  with  the  pertinacity  of  an  avenger  of  blood. 

Auer  was  much  engaged,  during  these  years,  in  laying  foundations  here  for  a 
Mission  house  similar  to  that  at  Basle,  feeling  that  our  Missions,  both  Foreign 
and  Domestic,  lacked  something,  because  of  insufficient  specific  training.  He 


10 


held  that  specific  fields,  and  specific  sorts  of  Missionary  labor,  required  in¬ 
struction  specially  adapted  to  them.  Sympathizing  with  him,  I  was  privi- 
leged  to  enter  into  his  plan,  and  in  this  association  became  somewhat  inti¬ 
mately  acquainted  with  his  principles  of  conducting  Missions,  and  especially 
with  his  great,  frank,  manly,  confiding  heart.  Bishop  Mcllvaine,  and  my 
associates  at  Gambier,  entered  wholly  into  his  scheme,  and  the  Mission 
house  soon  began  to  have  success.  Encouraged  by  the  number  of  students 
coming  in,  and  by  donations  from  individuals  (such  as  a  noble  gift  for 
building  by  the  late  Admiral  Dupont),  we  had  even  laid  the  cornerstone 
for  the  house  at  Gambier.  My  regret  is  now  unavailing,  that,  in  sub¬ 
mission  to  his  hopes  of  entering  on  a  larger  sphere,  the  location  of  the 
school  was  changed.  But  although  his  particular  scheme  perished  soon 
after  his  return  to  his  foreign  post,  the  influence  of  his  eloquent  zeal  on  the 
American  Church  long  survived  his  departure,  and  still  survives  his  death. 

After  another  brief  season  of  domestic  joy,  followed  by  another  bereave¬ 
ment — joy  and  sorrow  which  linked  him  to  our  homes  in  Gambier,  and  gave 
us  a  grave  that  bears  his  name — he  entered  again  upon  his  work  in  Africa* 
A  renewed  and  better  hope  accompanied  this  return  to  Cape  Palmas,  for 
Bishop  Payne’s  cherished  schemes  at  last  had  assumed  their  rightful  position, 
and  Mr.  Auer’s  settled  convictions  also  had  obtained  the  weight  which  they 
deserved. 

The  “West  coast”  is  not  a  Paradise,  but  neither  is  it  a  desolate  Sahara, 
The  sun  is  not  unmitigated,  and  pestilence  and  misery  are  not  the  nearest 
companions,  or  the  most  trying  antagonists  of  the  brave  men  and  women, 
who  carry  the  Gospel  there.  Auer  had  taught  us  better;  and  from  one  of  his 
first  letters  after  touching  the  shore  again,  I  give  you  a  charming  glimpse 
of  the  scenery  of  his  chosen  home.  It  was  at  the  Orphan  Asylum  on  Cape 
Palmas.  It  stands  on  the  extremity  of  that  point,  on  a  bluff  seventy-four 
feet  above  the  sea,  where  the  coast  turns  sharply  to  the  east.  “This  coun¬ 
try,”  he  says,  “feels  quite  comfortable;  rather  warm  when  out  walking  or 
working.  The  weather  is  hot  when  one  is  exposed  to  the  sun,  but  very 


11 


pleasant  in  the  house  with  windows  open  ;  never  so  sultry  as  your  summer 
days  in  America,  without  a  breath  of  air.  Here  in  my  study  (the  one  which 
Mr.  Hoffman  built),  the  sea  breeze  comes  in  one  window  and  goes  out  an¬ 
other.  I  have  the  sea  on  three  sides,  and  the  dashing  of  the  waves  against 
the  rocks  sounds  in  my  ears  all  day.  When  I  look  up  I  see  the  ‘rolling" 
sea,  and  beyond  it  the  beach;  and  back  of  it  extensive  palm  fields.  When 
I  look  behind  me,  I  see  through  the  feathery  branches  of  two  cocoa-nut 
trees,  a  small  island  as  green  as  a  gem,  and  the  endless  ocean  beyond.” 

Here  Auer  devoted  himself  to  two  definite  objects  ;  ist,  a  higher  educa¬ 
tion  for  the  African  Church  ;  2d,  systematic  preparation  for  giving  to  the 
African  heathen  the  Gospel  in  their  own  tongue.  His  favorite  scheme  of  a 
Mission-house  education  at  home  was  merely  preparatory  to  a  completed 
education  of  the  Minister  on  the  Missionary  field  itself.  He  therefore  en¬ 
tered  heartily  into  Bishop  Payne’s  design,  that  he  should  become  the  head 
of  the  High  School  at  Cavalla,  and  develop  it  into  a  school  for  the  highest 
education. 

The  other  question  presents  more  difficulties.  This  is  not  the  time,  nor 
this  the  place  for  discussing  it.  On  either  side  it  has  tasked  the  wisdom, 
and  tested  the  experience  of  able  Missionaries  of  all  the  Churches  in  all 
parts  of  heathendom.  For  the  question  is  the  same  under  all  suns.  That 
question  is,  “  In  what  language  shall  heathen  natives  receive  the  Gospel  ?  ” 
In  their  own  imperfect  language,  unfit  and  incapable  vehicles  for  Christian 
ideas,  and  various  as  are  the  infinitesimal  varieties  of  tribes  ;  or  shall  they  be 
taught  to  use  modern  European  tongues,  to  which  Christianity  has  now  be¬ 
come  native,  and  which  are  the  languages  of  civilization  and  of  the  highest 
human  development  ? 

Auer  took  the  view  most  natural  to  him.  Leaving  that  branch  of  the 
question  which  looks  to  ultimate  Christian  development,  he  felt  that  the 
shortest  road  that  could  be  found  by  which  Christ’s  love  could  reach  a  hea¬ 
then’s  conscience  and  affection  was  the  road  for  the  Missionary  in  Africa  to 
travel.  To  the  Grebo  he  therefore  became  as  a  Grebo.  And  on  the  path. 


12 


which  that  language  opened  to  a  Grebo’s  soul,  he  went,  with  a  resolution, 
and  at  a  pace,  that  soon  took  away  his  breath. 

He  thus  illustrates  one  phase  of  this  question  : 

“  Clark  was  buried  to-day,”  he  writes.  “It  was  an  interesting  scene. 
The  wooden  church  (St.  James’)  was  full.  The  Christian  men  were  dressed 
in  black,  with  white  scarfs  and  white  hat  bands.  A  great  number  of  heathen 
people  were  present.  The  native  Deacon  read  the  Service.  I  had  prevailed 
on  him  to  have  it  in  Grebo  ;  for  I  am  tired  of  the  farce  of  reading  our  beauti¬ 
ful  Service  in  an  unknown  tongue.  Only  three  weeks  ago,  I  was  at  a  native 
funeral  on  the  same  spot.  A  native  woman  was  buried.  All  were  natives 
except  me ;  and  the  great  majority  did  not  understand  ten  words  of  En¬ 
glish  ;  and  yet  the  whole  Service  was  in  English  except  the  concluding 
hymn,  *  There  is  a  Happy  Land,’  which  the  boys  sang  in  Grebo,  whilst 
the  grave  was  being  filled.  The  excuse  this  native  Deacon  gave  was,  that 
he  did  not  read  Grebo  very  well,  and  that  the  Service  was  not  good 
Grebo  1”  “Then  we  must  make  it  better,”  writes  the  practical  Missionary  ; 
and  at  once  set  himself  to  the  task. 

From  the  moment  of  his  return  to  Africa  in  October,  1867,  to  the  com¬ 
mencement  of  his  brief  Episcopate  on  the  coast,  he  gave  his  whole  intensity 
of  spirit  to  this  double  work  of  teaching,  and  of  translating  or  composing 
books  in  the  Krou  language  and  the  Grebo.  The  first  results  were  a 
Grebo  Primer,  and  a  Dictionary,  and  a  revisal  of  the  translation  of  our 
Prayer  Book,  which  could  be  effected  at  that  time  under  better  lights  of  a 
larger  experience.  He  also  devised  a  method  of  writing  the  Grebo  with 
vocal  marks,  so  saving  the  use  of  multiplied  vowels.  A  sketch  of  a  day’s  labor 
given  with  the  usual  freedom  of  a  home  letter,  will  let  you  into  a  secret  of 
Missionary  toil.  There  are  no  sinecures  in  such  a  life.  And  it  will  give 
you  glimpses  of  the  hope  that  cheers  a  Missionary’s  soul. 

“At  7  a.  m.  I  conduct  Morning  Prayer  with  my  twelve  students.  At 
9  recitations  begin  till  2,  with  a  recess  at  12.  At  6  Evening  Prayer,  then  sup¬ 
per  ;  then  again  prayers  in  the  Bishop’s  family,  where  I  am  acting  organist. 


13 

The  intervals  of  time  from  6  in  the  morning,  till,  io  or  n  at  night  are  filled 
out  with, 

1.  Preparation  for  Recitations. 

2.  Studying  Grebo. 

3.  Translations  into  that  language. 

4.  Correspondence. 

5.  Directing  the  school  people  how  to  work. 

6.  Practising  my  trade  as  Carpenter. 

7.  Preaching  to  Christians  and  heathen. 

“  Teaching  is  my  chief  work,  you  know,  and  I  like  it ;  though  the  road  is 
full  of  difficulties.  Some  people  think  that  Missionary  work  in  Africa  is  a 
plain  and  simple  proceeding,  and  that  Missionaries  move  on  like  a  victorious 
army.  No  !  Our  work  is  not  romantic  or  smooth.  It  is  a  daily  application 
of  all  our  powers  to  bring  about  the  regeneration  of  this  people.  And  in- 
indeed  it  costs  all  our  life  to  do  it.  My  twelve  youths  have  considerable 
preparation;  but  it  is  no  quick  or  easy  matter  to  lift  them  to  such  a  height 
that  they  can  be  the  agents  in  lifting  up  their  people.  There  is  habit,  super¬ 
stition,  habitual  badness,  original  sin,  stupidity,  laziness,  and  a  great  deal  of 
humbug,  to  be  fought  down  and  driven  out.  With  God’s  help  it  can  be 
done.”  There  speaks  the  man  of  faith.  “And  every  week  brings  progress.” 
And  here  speaks  the  man  whose  hopeful  spirit  could  not  be  quenched;  in  whom 
also  a  sense  of  the  ludicrous  relieved  not  a  few  sad  thoughts.  “  My  school  is 
young  yet/'  he  writes,  “but  my  boys  already  stand  one  inch  higher — I  was  go¬ 
ing  to  say — in  their  shoes ;  but  they  have  no  such  luxury.  I  always  try  to  make 
teaching  lively  and  interesting  to  my  audience,  whether  young  men  or  heathen 
people,  school-boys  or  naked  boys  in  town.  But  there  is  no  lack  of  laughing 
and  disorder,  sometimes  a  little  fighting.  And  although  admonition  or  a 
change  of  exercises  may  restore  peace  for  awhile,  a  box  on  the  ear  or  some¬ 
thing  sponger  still  is  often  necessary  in  order  that  we  may  get  along  with  the 
business  in  hand.”  “  Lively  and  interesting  1  ”  “Teaching  the  alphabet 
to  a  sst  of  wild,  reckless  children,  who  cannot  sit  quiet  two  minutes,  is 


14 


troublesome  work  and  small  work ;  but  it  opens  the  mind  for  a  new  light, 
and  to  a  new  world,  and  is  the  forerunner  of  better  things.  Little  texts 
and  short  talks  about  the  Saviour  and  God’s  heroes,  and  a  little  singing  to 
make  it  spicy  !  ”  There  is  the  far-seeing  man  of  faith  ;  the  man  who  looks 
Beyond  the  troublesome  incidents  into  the  grand  results  ;  the  man  who  fol¬ 
lows  the  Omnipotent  thought,  which  out  of  atoms  made  a  world,  but  first 
out  of  chaos  formed  atoms. 

Such  labors,  and  intensity  of  labor,  could  not  long  continue  unbroken. 
Meanwhile,  Bishop  Payne  resigned  his  Jurisdiction.  Thirty  years  of  patient 
wrestling  with  difficulties ;  faithful  toil  in  founding  a  Church,  where  the 
problem  still  waited  a  solution,  how  to  combine  three  antagonistic  elements  ; 
these  had  reduced  that  good  Bishop’s  strength  to  its  minimum.  At  last  not 
a  white  Missionary  was  left  on  the  coast  except  Auer.  Then  his  strength 
gave  way.  He  turned  his  steps  to  Germany,  and  to  the  old  village  near 
Stuttgart,  where  he  was  first  apprehended  of  Christ  Jesus.  There,  after 
the  briefest  pause,  we  find  him  at  work  again  ;  translating,  composing,  and 
correcting  for  the  press. 

Here,  on  November  18  1872 — on  his  forty-first  birthday — the  summons 
met  him  from  the  House  of  Bishops.  He  was  called  to  gird  himself  for  the 
highest  responsibilities  of  his  ministry.  Without  hesitation  he  accepted  it 
as  the  Lord’s  call  to  duty.  He  allowed  himself  just  three  short  months’ 
interval,  during  which  he  was  to  receive  his  commission  to  the  Bishopric, 
to  help  the  movement  of  his  brethren  according  to  the  flesh  who  were  then  in¬ 
quiring  concerning  our  Church  polity,  and  to  consult  with  Bishop  Payne  and 
the  Foreign  Committee.  The  interval  was  reluctantly  taken.  With  peculiar 
reluctance  he  touched  the  German  movement,  for  fear  that  some  complica¬ 
tion  might  impede  his  return  to  Africa.  A  month  later  he  writes  from  Stutt¬ 
gart,  “  Nothing  should  have  kept  me  from  Africa.”  “  By  a  knowledge  of 
the  language,  and  a  few  other  things,  I  have  come  to  feel  more  at  home 
sphere  than  ever.”  “  I  cannot  come  to  America  yet,  because  I  must  finish 
two  books  at  least,  one  in  the  press  and  the  other  ready  for  it.  These  are 


15 


vmy  tools  for  future  work.  About  Easter  I  want  to  be  in  the  United  States, 
and  to  do  all  I  can  in  pleading  for  Africa.”  “  If  I  can  do  anything  for  the 
Germans,  I  shall  be  glad  ;  but  no  earthly  power  shall  keep  me  again  away 
from  Africa  for  side  purposes.  If  I  am  to  be  something,  I  want  to  be  that 
- thoroughly  !  ”  There  spoke  the  man  !  An  undivided  consecration  to  his 
work  in  Africa  ;  that  was  his  being  ;  that  was  what  the  Bishopric  meant  to 
him.  “  I  am  a  Missionary  in  Africa.  No  side  issues  shall  keep  me  away 
from  it.”  “  If  I  am  something ,  I  want  to  be  that  thoroughly  l  ” 

He  arrived  in  New  York  on  Good  Friday  of  last  year.  In  Easter  week 
(April  17,  1873)  he  was  ordained  a  Bishop;  the  second  for  Cape  Palmas; 
the  one  hundred  and  first  in  the  succession  of  our  National  Church,  and  in 
•  direct  line  from  Polycarp  and  St.  John.  Thebeloved  Armitage  preached  on 
•that  occasion,  in  St.  John’s  Church,  Georgetown  ;  the  preacher  so  soon  to 
be  taken  to  his  rest,  so  soon  to  be  followed  by  the  brother  whom  he  wel- 
•comed  !  The  venerable  Bishop  Payne  laid  his  hands  on  the  head  of  his 
•^successor,  and  transferred  to  him  the  weighty  cares  of  an  Episcopate  in 
Africa. 

Before  the  end  of  July,  Bishop  Auer  was  back  in  Germany,  hur- 
?rying  his  books  through  the  press,  and  urging  his  departure.  By  November 
7,  he  writes  from  Stuttgart,  “My  work  here  is  now  finished.”  He  had  pre¬ 
pared  and  printed  an  elementary  book  in  the  Krou  language,  a  Bible  history 
in  the  same  language,  a  translation  of  the  Psalms,  and  a  book  of  hymns  in 
metre  in  the  Grebo,  a  revised  edition  of  the  Prayer  Book,  also  a  tune- 
book  in  that  universal  language  which  utters  emotions  in  all  hearts 
alike.  He  added  to  the  tunes  a  book  of  chants,  not  omitting  the  old 
'Gregorian  tones,  without  which  it  seems  impossible  truly  to  interpret  the 
melodies  of  David’s  thoughts  to  Christian  souls,  cultured  or  barbarian.  He 
had  already  completed  the  transfer  of  parts  of  the  Scriptures  and  our  Ser¬ 
vices  into  Grebo,  a  work  which  Bishop  Payne  had  well  commenced,  and 
mow  he  writes,  “We  shall  translate  the  whole  of  the  New  Testament.” 

Alas  1  more  truly  than  he  knew,  his  “work  was  finished  !  ”  •  j 


16 


On  the  20th  of  November  he  separated  from  his  family,  going  almost 
alone  on  his  last  voyage.  On  that  day  he  wrote  to  me,  “Rheumatism  leaves 
me  very  weak,  with  a  pain  in  my  chest.  I  expect  relief  as  soon  as  I  get 
warm  again.”  “  I  am  weaker  than  ever,  but  as  duty  calls,  I  leave.”  “  To¬ 
day  I  leave  with  two  German  lay  helpers  and  three  African  boys,  two  of 
whom  have  learned  trades  here,  and  go  back  now  to  practise  them.”  He 
was  consistent  to  the  last!  “Rev.  Mr.  Davis,  my  Deacon,  went  out  last 
month  to  the  Hoffman  Institute,  our  seminary  of  future  teachers  and  Minis¬ 
ters.  With  this  one  Minister  the  Church  sends  me  back  to  Africa  !  ”  It  is 
ringing  in  my  ears  to-night — the  reproachful  cry,  yet  shrinking  from  despair, 
hoping  yet  at  the  verge  of  hopelessness  ;  the  farewell  of  an  almost  broken¬ 
hearted  Bishop  ! 

On  December  29,  last  year,  the  Soudan  anchored  off  Cape  Palmas.  But 
the  moment  the  Bishop’s  feet  touched  the  shore,  it  became  evident  to  others, 
not  to  himself,  that  his  course  was  nearly  run.  He  immediately  issued 
appointments.  He  intended  to  leave  Cape  Palmas  in  February  for  a  thor¬ 
ough  visitation  of  Monrovia  and  other  parts  of  Liberia.  He  was  able  to 
advance  the  Rev.  Edward  Davis  to  the  Priesthood  on  the  Feast  of  the  Epiph¬ 
any,  January  6,  in  the  Church  of  the  Epiphany,  Cavalla,  thus  holding  his  first 
Episcopal  act  in  Africa  in  the  church  where  he  was  ordained  a  Deacon.  He 
also  confirmed  twelve  persons  on  the  nth,  in  St.  Mark’s  Church,  Cape 
Palmas.  Before  the  day  appointed  for  his  general  Visitation,  he  was 
prostrated.  His  life  hung  trembling  whilst  the  Church  prayed.  He 
revived  a  little,  yet  not  so  as  to  leave  his  room.  Then  again  he  issued 
appointments.  On  February  n  of  this  year — I  name  the  dates,  for  it  is  a. 
marvellous  record  of  a  dying  man’s  labor  ! — Wednesday,  the  nth,  he  con¬ 
firmed  a  class  of  twenty-five  persons  in  Cavalla.  He  could  not  go  through, 
the  short  Service  for  Confirmation  without  help,  nor  could  he  walk  with¬ 
out  support.  Assisted  by  his  faithful  Presbyters,  he  passed  around  the 
kneeling  group,  and  laid  his  trembling  hands  upon  their  heads. 

On  Friday,  13th,  he  came  up  to  the  Cape  (*.*.,  west  along  the  coast 


itr 


twelve  miles),  in  a  hammock,  and  arranged  for  examining  the  candidates  for 
Orders.  On  Saturday  afternoon,  the  14th,  the  Examining  Chaplains  met  in 
his  bedroom.  He  lay  panting  for  breath,  occasionally  asking  a  question, 
but  exhausted  by  every  effort.  On  Sunday,  the  15th,  Quinquagesima,  he 
was  carried  to  St.  Mark's  Church  in  a  hammock.  He  lay  in  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Gibson's  parlor,  a  few  yards  from  the  church,  listening  to  and  sharing  in  the 
devotions  of  Morning  Prayer  ;  then,  with  assistance,  was  robed  in  the  Vestry, 
moved  slowly  into  Church  and  took  his  Episcopal  seat.  After  an  effort, 
finding  himself  unable  to  exhort  the  two  candidates,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ferguson* 
took  that  duty.  The  dying  Bishop  then,  with  a  struggle  for  breath,  between 
“very  short  respirations,’'  gave  the  two  young  colonists  authority  to  exercise 
a  Deacon’s  office,  and  with  trembling  hands  and  broken  utterances. adminis¬ 
tered  the  elements  at  the  Lord’s  Supper,  and  pronounced  the  Benediction. 

At  4  o'clock  the  same  afternoon  he  caused  the  candidates  for  Confirmation 
from  St.  James’  Church  to  be  taken  to  the  Orphan  Asylum,  where  he  held 
his  last  office.  With  a  strong  will  resisting  exhaustion,  he  laid  his  hands  on 
fifteen,  and  then,  at  last,  retired  ;  rejoicing  that  the  Lord  had  spared  him  to 
begin  the  work  for  which  he  had  been  consecrated. 

On  the  next  day,  before  the  same  hour  of  the  afternoon,  he  was  dead. 

Thus  died — sinking  in  the  very  steps  of  his  Episcopal  duty — a  believer  to 
whom  nothing  was  impossible  for  Christ's  sake. 

A  man  of  indomitable  energy  ;  whom  a  nervous  temperament  constantly 
stimulated  to  activity ;  overtasked  by  choice,  miserable  unless  at  work.  A 
patiently  impatient  man — patient  in  respect  of  God's  will — impatient  with 
the  slowness  of  the  instruments  of  it ;  impatient  of  his  own  exertions  ;  never 
satisfied  with  what  was  done,  because  so  much  remained  unaccomplished. 
His  was  a  strong,  healthy  body  originally;  but  overcome  by  disease  not  inci¬ 
dent  to  or  peculiar  to  Africa.  His  was  a  firm,  steady,  slow-working,  positive 
mind.  He  was  blessed  with  common  sense,  and  much  of  it ;  with  sharp — 

•The  Rev  Mr.  herguson  was  happily  in  attendance,  and  read  the  Service  ou  the  occa* 
eidtt  of  this  memorial  termon. 


18 


very  sharp,  mental  observation;  quick  to  comprehend  character,  he  was  a 
keen  judge  of  motives;  perhaps  a  little  too  quick  and  sometimes  harsh  in 
judgment,  but  so  the  better  fitted  for  a  position  where  to  be  easily  deceived 
by  men  is  a  serious  defect.  His  education  was  substantial  and  thorough,  not 
broad,  but  eminently  practical  ;  developing  practical  habits  of  thought  and 
investigation  which  became  characteristic.  He  was  a  prayerful,  loving  stu¬ 
dent  of  Scripture — very  prayerful.  On  one  occasion  he  wrkes:  “I  am  to  talk 
to  the  students  at  the  New  York  Seminary  to-night,  so  I  had  better  sharpen 
my  arrows  first,  before  God’s  throne.”  The  blessed  instructions  of  Basle  had 
formed  these  habits.  The  Bible  was  his  armory,  texts  his  weapons,  prayer 
kept  them  furbished,  and  an  intelligent  conception  of  the  character 
of  the  men  with  whom  he  was  dealing  taught  him  how  to  aim  his 
arrows  so  that  they  hit.  His  thrusts  of  Scripture  were  like  the  javelins  of 
Joab,  in  the  front  of  a  foe  ;  and  if  any  man’s  conscience  fell  into  the  rear, 
hoping  to  escape,  he  could  find  a  word  as  fatal  to  it  there,  as  the  butt  end  of 
the  spear  was  to  Asahel.  Not  imaginative,  yet  having  a  keen  sense  of  the 
ludicrous,  and  an  oddity  in  association  of  ideas,  which  is  a  fertile  source  of 
humor,  his  gravity  never  became  heaviness,  and  his  speech  was  well  seasoned 
with  sprightly  sallies.  There  is  a  little  bit  of  humor  in  his  criticism  of  the 
Evangelical  Alliance.  It  may  serve  as  a  suggestive  thought  for  some  other 
Meetings.  “I  fear,”  he  writes,  “that  though  the  meetings  were  grand  and 
comfortable” — comfortable,  is  the  word — “ nothing  will  come  of  all  this  talk¬ 
ing.  Why  don’t  the  men  go  to  Africa,  and  next  to  China,  and  try  their 
talking  there  ?  Too  much  time  and  money  is  squandered  for  such  meetings, 
while  God’s  work  is  not  done.” 

He  loved  music.  He  induced  many  colonists  to  import  melodeons.  He 
taught  the  advanced  pupils  how  to  play  on  this  instrument.  He  thoroughly 
believed  in  music  as  a  means  of  quickening  the  sensibilities  of  the  heathen, 
of  opening  their  hearts  to  religious  impressions  and  making  a  broad  and  easy 
avenue  for  the  Gaspsl.  There  is  something  pathetic  in  the  following 
expression  of  confidence  in  music,  "The  time  has  comp  when  African 


19 


tongues  praise  the  Lord  for  His  love  and  salvation.  The  rising  generation 
are  growing  up  under  the  new  influence.  We  have  quite  a  number  oL 
baptized  little  folks  who  love  the  Saviour  ;  and  oh  !  how  they  sing  1  When 
I  walk  out,  some  half-a-dozen  tiny  boys  run  after  me,  and  put  their  tiny 
black  hands  in  mine,  and  ask,  ‘Ana,  shall  we  sing?’  ‘Yes  1  sing  away  1 9 
And  then  they  go  at  it  strong.  We  have  gained  a  great  deal  when  we 
have  succeeded  in  teaching  a  heathen  to  sing  a  hymn,  or  repeat  a  text  un- 
dirstandingly.  It  is  like  knocking  a  hole  into  the  darkness  of  heathenism ,  and 
letting  a  ray  of  heavenly  light  rush  into  the  blank,  empty ,  desolate  heart,  A 
train  of  new  thoughts  and  feelings  is  awakened;  and  it  may  become  the 
beginning  of  a  new  life.” 

The  creation  of  a  Grebo  Hymnal  was  commenced  by  the  Rev.  Leighton 
Wilson  of  the  American  Board,  with  gratifying  success.  Bishop  Payne 
added  many  hymns,  especially  a  very  popular  translation  of  our  familiar, 
“There  is  a  Happy  Land.”  Bishop  Auer  followed  them  with  abundant 
contributions  to  their  Hymnal. 

I  do  not  know  how  much  of  the  poetic  fire  burned  within  him.  But 
in  one  of  his  letters  he  sends  a  Grebo  hymn,  to  one,  to  whom  since  1 866  he 
always  writes  as  to  a  sister ;  prefacing  it  thus  :  “This  last  month  I  have  been 
a*ble  to  make  three  or  four  hymns  in  this  African  language  ;  some  of  them 
are  becoming  popular  rapidly  ;  even  heathen  children  know  and  sing  them 
in  several  of  the  towns.  Plere  is  a  verse  expressing  a  longing  for  heavenly 
life  and  rest ;  the  tune  is  ‘  Home  Sweet  Home. 9  ” 

“  Te  siyu  ake  ko  foda  he  nee  ?  ” 

>.  Not  reading  Grebo,  it  is  not  for  me  to  say  what  inspiration  may  be  lying 
within  his  translations  of  the  Psalms,  and  his  transfer  of  our  hymns  into  that 
unknown  tongue.  But  Tate  and  Brady  fastened  their  interpretations  of  the 
sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel  on  the  Scottish  heart.  And  without  being  able  to 
read  the  Grebo — from  cnly  looking  at  it,  I  feel  sure  that  Auer's  translations 
are  as  musical  as  those.  They  will  live  in  the  native  worship,  and  kindle 


20 


enthusiasm,  and  waken  the  fire  in  their  souls,  and  feed  their  spiritual  life ; 
and  Auer,  who  has  framed  the  religious  songs  of  a  nation,  will  never  die  in 
the  recollections  of  their  generations. 

He  sometimes  tuned  his  reed  to  English  measures.  The  harshness  of  our 
northern  speech  is  not  so  favorable  to  melody,  as  the  lazy  flowing  labials  of 
the  African  coast  ;  yet  I  think  you  will  recognize  the  essentials  for  a  Psalmist 
in  the  following  sweet  strain.  He  dedicates  an  ode  on  her  birth-day  to  his 
mother — not  the  one  who  formed  his  childhood's  habits — but  one  to  whom 
he  had  transferred  that  hallowed  title  ever  since  his  entrance  into  our  Church 
household.  I  quote  one  verse: 

“  Speak,  Lord  !  Thy  servant  heareth ; 

I  will — I  will  obey. 

‘  Go  ye  !  ’  Thy  servant  heareth; 

But  be  with  me  ahvay  ! 

I  hold  the  Hand  that  suffered 
For  me  on  Calvary; 

I  hold  the  promise  offered — 

I  go — but  go  with  me  !  ” 

And  yet  one  other  verse,  the  last,  tilled  with  the  anticipations  of  a  day 
which  was  ever  the  first  of  days  in  his  longings  : 

v 

“  O  joy  !  when  from  all  places, 

They  gather  round  Thy  throne  ! 

O  joy  !  when  endless  praises 
Proclaim  what  Thou  hast  done  ! 

When  they  who  went  with  weeping 
To  sow  the  precious  seed, 

Come  at  the  time  of  reaping 

With  gladness  on  their  head !  ” 

This  is  ihe  man  whose  spirit  the  Holy  Ghost  sanctified  and  educated  for 
Missionary  work  in  Africa  ;  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  called  to  its  Episcopate, 
and  recalled  at  the  very  moment  when  he  had  set  his  foot  upon  that  highest 


21 


t 


labor.  Ilis  characteristics  as  a  saintly  man  engage  us  most ;  a  man  on 
whom  the  Holy  Ghost  had  set  his  seal,  that  seal  which  on  every  side  bears 
the  likeness  to  Christ  Jesus.  The  Spirit’s  marks  in  hirn  were,  a  faith  to 
which  nothing  seemed  impossible  for  Christ’s  sake  ;  and  a  devolioii  to  hi3 
chosen  field  which  was  literally  absorbing,  and  absolutely  undivided.  And 
from  these  two  characteristics  the  valuable  lessons  of  his  life  are  to  be  drawn. 

Confidence  in  a  Master  and  Guide,  and  confidence  in  the  duty  assigned, 
are  indispensable  to  a  man  who  is  to  grasp  all  the  possibilities  of  his  life. 
If  '.o  this  be  added  loving  submission  and  absorbing  consecration  of  will, 
such  a  man  has  every  assurance  of  success  acording  to  the  power  of  his  Mas¬ 
ter  and  the  worth  of  the  service.  That  is  what  the  text  means.  “  All  things 
are  possible  to  him  that  believeth.”  And  this  principle,  applied  in  religion,  to 
the  mandates,  and  service,  and  sanctifying  love  of  a  trusted  Saviour,  ren¬ 
ders  every  Christian  duty  possible.  I  do  not  see  in  Auer's  life  a  moment’s 
hesitation  in  accepting  duty,  nor  a  moment's  conception  that  any  duty  could 
be  impossible.  In  the  moat  ordinary  manner,  in  a  matter  of  fact  way,  he 
approached  every  obligation — even  the  most  critical — not  as  a  thing  to  be 
attempted,  but  to  be  done.  This  peculiarity  is  prominent  in  the  brief  record 
of  his  life  of  action,  indeed  its  highest  and  truest  manifestation.  But  it  was 
equally  the  tenor  of  his  thoughts.  Ilis  letters  are  full  of  it.  Listen  to  him  : 
“  Circumstances  and  trials  have  influence  enough  on  us  all,  I  know,  but  we 
have  so  much  hope  and  joy  and  life  around  us,  and  in  us,  and  before  us, 
that  trials  can  but  reach  our  neck — no  further !  God's  purpose  with  us 
reaches  far  and  wide  and  high,  up,  up  into  glory,  into  His  own  like¬ 
ness,  into  His  glorious  life-giving  presence.  So  great  salvation,  so  full  sal¬ 
vation,  so  thorough  a  salvation,  ought  to  outwe  gh  all — all  that  is  apt  to  pull 
us  down  into  shadows  and  fears.  I  know  how  the  heartstrings  ache,  are 
often  near  bursting  ;  and  when  a  man  has  wandered  about  much,  and  has 
been  friendless  and  a  stranger  again  and  again,  he  is  so  glad  that  this  earth  is 
God’s  footstool ,  and  we  an  walking  about  His  feci  as  little  children.  His  hand 
is  over  us  and  around  us  and  draws  us  gently,  but  mightily — heavenward." 


22 


Again,  Jesus  shall  reign  where’er  the  sun/  sounded  grandly  through  the 
large  house ;  and  it  came  as  a  Hallelujah  !  from  the  bottom  of  our  heart. 
It  leels  so  good  to  see  God’s  kindness  practically  displayed.  It  shows,  that 
we  can’t  believe  too  much.  We  always  find  Him  true  to  the  smallest 
promise.” 

It  is  refreshing  to  meet  with  such  a  Christian.  Listen  again.  “  As  for 
myself,  I  can  only  say,  ‘  I  was  foolish  and  ignorant ;  nevertheless  I  am  contin¬ 
ually  with  Thee,  O  God  !  Thou  hast  holden  me  by  my  right  hand.  God 
is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever.’  With  this  I  mean  to 
get  ready  for  Africa.  The  more  I  think  and  live,  the  more  I  must  g o  back 
and  soon.  Where  the  work  is  hardest,  where  the  battle  rages  hottest,  there 
is  my  place  ;  and  I  have  an  ambition  to  labor,  to  endure,  to  suffer  and  to 
die  for  the  name  of  my  Saviour.  It  is  often  poor  work  ;  but  He  is  near  by, 
and  makes  it  look  like  something.”  Again  in  1865  :  “One  thing  is  sure, 
there  is  no  greater  force,  and  no  sweeter  comfort,  than  in  the  love  of  our 
God  and  Saviour.  Our  true  happiness  is  with  Him  and  from  Him,  every 
day.”  And  writing  from  Africa  :  “  God’s  free  grace  is  our  stay,  and  daily 
reliance,  for  ourselves  and  the  poor  sinners  around  us.  There  is  hope  for 
Africa  !  And  light  is  coming  1  ” 

When  returning  to  his  field,  in  1867,  his  faith,  though  hardly  tried,  en¬ 
dures.  “  Missionary  life  begins  again  in  earnest.  I  feel  like  a  tree  bereft 
of  its  branches,  and  rooted  up — but  ready  to  be  transplanted.”  “  This  is 
nine  o’clock — the  last  evening  on  American  ground.  So  comes  death,  and 
that  too  is  merely  a  going  out  of  sight,  a  passing  over  the  gulf  into  home. 
My  path  goes  into  battle  and  hard  work  ;  but  I  feel  ready  and  strong  for  it.” 

This  was  faith.  I  have  quoted,  not  from  public  documents,  but  only  the 
familiar  utterances  of  domestic  letters,  wherein  hearts  show  themselves  with¬ 
out  reserve.  And  you  see  how  entirely  the  chords  are  responsive  to  that  faith 
which  breathed  in  all  his  public  utterances.  How  could  it  be  else  ?  for  his 
life  was  of  Faith. 

The  other  element  of  his  power  and  success  was  a  devotion  absolutely 


23 


undivided  and  literally  absorbing.  “The  zeal  of  Thine  house  hath  eaten 
me  up,”  might  have  been  the  legend  on  his  seal,  so  true  was  it  to  his  expe¬ 
rience.  The  fire  of  that  love  actually  burned  him  to  ashes.  He  died  when 
there  was  no  vital  power  left  in  him  for  his  devotion  to  Africa  to  feed  upon. 
Evidence  has  lost  its  function,  if  this  be  not  evident  in  his  toils,  in  his 
wrestling  with  disease,  disappointment,  with  the  ignorance  that  surrounded 
him  in  Africa,  and  the  apathy  that  chilled  him  in  America;  if  it  be  not 
evident  in  the  concentration  of  every  faculty  and  energy  to  the  one  end  ;  if  it 
be  not  evident  in  the  trembling  hands  that  fell  only  whilst  blessing  Africa  ; 
and  in  the  fainting  voice  that  fulfilled  its  last  duty  to  Africa  only  between  its 
dying  respirations.  Yet  add  to  this  evidence,  these  words.  They  give  the 
very  spirit  of  the  man.  They  are  the  breathings  of  the  devotion  which 
absorbed  him — intended  to  be  heard  only  in  the  intimacies  of  home  and  by 
his  God.  “As  long  as  I  live  I  will  plead  for  Africa.  And  for  her  will  I 
toil,  and  labor,  and  suffer,  and  perhaps  die,  so  th?.t  our  Saviour's  name  be 
glorified.”  “Silence  1  heart.  The  Lord’s  work  is  greater,  and  must  be  sweeter 
than  family  love  and  joys.”  He  underscores  that  “  must  be  sweeter,”  as  if 
the  thought  came  with  a  pang  ;  and  the  heart  was  compelled  to  an  unwil¬ 
ling  silence. 

‘  *  Sometimes  I  envy  people  who  have  a  home.  But  what  is  that  to  me  ? 
I  have  no  part  nor  inheritance  with  my  brethren.  ‘  Go  out  to  the  highways 
and  hedges  1  *  storm  and  tempest  must  be  endured.  At  last  I  shall  also  be 
taken  home  to  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb;  and  then  see  the  Lord, 
Whose  I  am  and  Whom  I  serve.” 

His  social  pleasures  were  inspired  by  one  thought.  Describing  a 
delightful  evening  with  a  party  of  friends,  he  says,  “  we  played  and  sang, 
and  talked  about  poor  dear  Africa.” 

In  the  midst  of  his  triumphant  appeals  for  the  one  supreme  object,  he 
cries  :  “  Oh  !  when  shall  I  be  able  to  get  off  to  Africa  again  !  I  am  sick  with 
this  kind  of  life — bumping  and  pumping  people;  whereas  a  heavenly  spirit, 
a  spirit  of  glory  ought  to  flow  through  every  heart,  and  home,  moving  hosts 


24 


of  evangelists,  to  get  on  high  places,  and  cry  loud  and  louder ,  until  the 
world’s  ears  open,  and  the  Lord  can  enter  with  the  fulness  of  His  life,  and 
the  refreshing  sweetness  of  His  love  !  ”  And  once  again:  “  The  trees  are 
already  bare  and  lifeless,  and  I  think  of  Africa’s  beauty.  No  !  I  shall  not 
keep  much  longer  away  from  her.  It  will  be  hard  to  leave  this  land,  and 
so  many  friends ;  but  there  will  be  pleasant  remembrances,  and,  I  believe, 
a  communion  of  saints  that  knows  no  distance.”  “This  New  England  is 
in  great  part  an  untrodden  field  for  my  feet,  and  I  should  like  to  make  a 
more  thorough  work  this  time.  Bat  these  weeks  are  very  short.  And  I 
must  not  keep  much  longer  away  from  my  special  work,  and  my  special 
people.” 

Such  is  the  man,  the  latest  among  our  Missionary  Bishops,  whom  our 
Church  has  lost,  and  the  Church  in  Paradise  has  welcomed. 

Our  Mission  in  Africa  is  once  more  mourning,  and  we  mourn  with  it. 
But  what  is  to  be  done!  If  Auer  were  here  he  would  answer  as  once  he  did 
at  Gambier.  Never  will  we  forget  it.  Sitting  in  a  side  aisle  of  old  Rosse 
Chapel,  amongst  his  comrades  from  the  Mission  house,  suddenly  he  began 
to  sing,  in  his  deep,  rich  German  ;  and  then,  after  one  verse,  turning  the 
hymn  to  English,  his  boys  took  up  the  strain  with  him — 

u  The  Son  of  God  goes  forth  to  war  1 
A  kingly  crown  to  gain  1 
Hii  blootbred  banners  stream  afar ! 

Who  follows  in  Ilis  train  ?” 

Who  follows?  Who  takes  up  the  staff  that  has  fallen,  and  the  step 
that  has  ceased  ?  The  Church  will  not  desert  her  brethren  on  the  Western 
coast,  but  who  shall  go  for  us  ? 

The  Bishop  should  be  a  man  of  cultivated  powers,  able  to  elevate  that 
Church.  lie  should  be  patient,  discreet,  having  zeal  tempered  by  common 
sense,  courage  under  control  of  faith,  energy  ruled  by  devotion.  And  he 
should  know  how  to  do  things.  He  should  have  that  skill  which  will  en- 


25 


able  him  to  get  to  the  hearts  of  his  people  through  their  own  language. 
And  he  should  be  able  to  sing,  and  love  it.  He  need  have  no  fear  of  the 
climate.  There  is  no  special  danger  to  a  man  of  ordinary  health.  Bishop 
Auer  did  not  die  of  any  disease  incident  to  Africa,  and  Bishop  Payne  lived 
and  labored  there  for  mor'e  than  thirty  years,  and  lives  among  us  yet,  God 
be  praised  !  to  cheer  the  hearts  of  the  Church  and  to  plead  for  Africa.  Be¬ 
sides,  if  Bishop  Payne’s  earnest  entreaties  be  listened  to,  and  Bishop  Auer’s 
intentions  be  now  carried  out,  the  new  Bishop  will  plant  a  Mission  and  fix 
a  centre  of  work  among  the  mountains  north-east  of  Monrovia,  and  extend 
the  everlasting  Gospel  among  the  native  Mahommedans — a  noble  race — who 
occupy  those  hills.  We  shall  see  again  the  revenges  of  History.  Moham¬ 
med  overturned  the  Cross  which  St.  Mark  and  St.  Augustine  reared  in  Africa. 
And  now  the  Cross  in  the  hands  of  our  new  Bishop,  again  going  forth  to 
war,  shall  place  a  converted  crescent  among  the  symbols  of  an  African 
Church  advancing  her  armies  with  banners.  “  Who  follows  in  His  train  ?  n 
The  House  of  Bishops  will  call,  in  the  name  of  God  and  of  His  Church. 
May  the  Holy  Spirit  give  zeal  and  nerve  to  him  who  shall  be  called,  that 
he  may  follow  with  faith  and  devotion  of  the  same  heavenly  temper  as  that 
which  armed  Gottlieb  Auer. 

But  we — what  are  we  to  do?  You  and  I,  brethren,  who  listen  with 
sympathy  and  scarcely  restrain  our  impatience  to  take  part  in  this  struggle 
for  the  regeneration  of  Africa. 

Believe — first  !  Believe  that  Christ  means  it  to  be  done. 

Pray — next!  Pray  “  Our  Father.”  You  need  not  go  any  further  until 
you  have  mastered  that,  until  you  have  gotten  these  souls  in  Africa,  for 
whom  Christ  died,  into  your  hearts  and  alongside  of  your  own  filial 
thoughts,  as  you  pray  “ our  Father  !  ”  praying  for  them  as  Hoffman  did  and 
as  Auer  did.  Then  you  can  go  on  and  pray  “Thy  Kingdom  come,”  as 
Hoffman  prayed  for  it,  and  as  Auer  prayed,  and  as  Boone  prayed  among 
his  Chinamen,  and  as  Patteson  prayed  for  it  among  his  islanders,  and 
many  another  of  the  noble  band  who  have  given  their  lives  in  proof  that 


26 


i 


they  were  praying  in  earnest.  Then  you  will  help  this  work,  and  the  help 
will  not  be  ephemeral  nor  impulsive,  but  a  continuous,  conscientious 
effort.  You  will  not  give  only  money,  but  you  will  be  ingenious  in  devis¬ 
ing  gifts. 

Auer  wanted  a  library  for  his  Missionaries,  as  well  as  a  library  for  his 
scholars.  Auer  wanted  maps,  apparatus,  pictures,  means  of  illustrating  and 
teaching  physical  sciences.  Auer  wanted  tools  and  instruments  in  order  to 
practise  the  arts,  and  to  educate  skill  and  industries.  Auer  wanted  churches 
and  civilized  dwelling-houses,  and  one  church  especially,  where  colonists  and 
natives  might  enjoy  the  amenities  ofworship  ;  where  they  might  be  educated 
in  the  nobler  class  of  influences  of  common  prayer  and  praise. 

Not  a  man  or  woman  is  in  this  audience,  practising  whatever  trade  or  art, 
whatever  profession  or  business,  who  cannot  contribute  in  his  or  her  own 
line,  what  would  have  caused  Auer's  heart  to  sing  for  joy.  I  do  not  ask  for 
cast-off  things,  and  old  books,  and  worn  out  tools,  Christ  does  not  accept 
trash  as  gifts  to  Him.  Nor  would  you  offer  them.  (In  the  first  age  they  gath¬ 
ered  such  stuff  together  as  was  no  longer  of  use  to  the  Church  and  burned 
it.)  But  what  costs  you  something,  give  ;  not  to-night,  nor  at  any  time  give 
to  Missions  what  costs  you  nothing.  The  angel  writes  down  sacrifices — no¬ 
thing  else.  The  gold  and  the  silver,  or  their  representatives,  which  drop  into 
the  plate,  without  thought,  and  without  love,  and  without  a  sacrifice,  are 
not  seen  in  Heaven.  For  those  who  have  it,  it  is  easy  to  give  money.  But 
the  larger  number  of  the  Church,  whose  hearts  are  warming  to  this  charity, 
have  little  money  to  bestow,  and  must  exercise  some  ingenuity  in  sacrifice. 

Carpenters,  blacksmiths,  shoemakers,  gardeners — we  ask  you  to  club  to¬ 
gether  and  send  out  to  our  Mission  in  Africa  the  best  specimens  of  the  tools 
by  which  you  earn  a  livelihood.  Lawyers,  physicians,  scientists,  litterateurs, 
Clergymen — send  copies  of  the  books  which  have  proved  themselves  most  val¬ 
uable  to  you.  Every  intellectual  strife  in  which  you  are  engaged  is  striven 
there,  and  needs  the  use  of  books  like  yours  to  ennoble  it.  Every  profession 
which  you  practise  has  its  imitators  there,  and  needs  the  books  which  guide  you 


27 


in  order  that  the  imitation  shall  be  worthy.  Instrument  makers,  booksellers — - 
give  what  will  furnish  their  schools  and  colleges.  Why  should  not  every 
Christian  artisan,  and  every  Church  publisher,  set  out  one  copy  of  each  valu¬ 
able  contribution  to  the  market,  to  be  given  to  the  Lord’s  Mission  ?  Archi¬ 
tects,  send  them  plans  for  churches,  and  school-houses,  and  dwellings — such 
plans  as  may  easily  adapt  themselves  to  the  peculiarities  of  their  climate. 
Men  who  deal  in  church  furniture  and  organs  and  bells — let  them  see  and 
hear  your  love  for  Christ  in  Font,  and  Communion  Services,  in  the  grand  con¬ 
cert  of  the  pipes,  and  the  melody  of  chimes.  Merchants  and  tradespeople — en¬ 
courage  commerce  with  that  coast ;  exchange  your  products  for  theirs  ;  stim¬ 
ulate  their  latent  energies  by  your  experience  in  traffic. 

It  is  a  mighty,  many-sided,  broad-hearted,  thousand-handed  work — this 
work  which  we  have  undertaken — to  convert  a  nation  to  the  Gospel ;  to 
civilize  it  for  the  highest  developments  of  Christianity  ;  to  create  a  Church  in 
Africa  which  shall  be  sister  to  ours.  It  is  not  to  be  done  by  sending  out  a  Mis¬ 
sionary  now  and  then,  and  a  teacher  now  and  then,  and  a  Bishop  to  over¬ 
see  his  own  labors.  It  will  not  be  done  by  us  whilst  we  sit  here  lazily 
praying,  and  hoping  against  hope.  We  must  send  the  Missionaries  indeed, 
and  the  Bishop,  but  we  must  send  with  them  every  appliance  wherewith  suc¬ 
cess  is  to  be  compelled,  and  we  must  render  our  sacrifices  for  their  sakes 
equal  to  their  sacrifices  for  Christ’s  sake. 

Bishop  Auer  besought  us  for  a  church.  He  does  not  need  it  now, 
where  “the  spirits  and  souls  of  the  righteous”  are  worshipping  in  the  pres¬ 
ence  of  the  Lord.  But  his  Mission  needs  it,  and  the  rather  because  Trinity 
Church  in  Monrovia  has  been  destroyed  by  fire. 

Let  us  rebuild  it,  as  a  worthy  memorial  of  Bishop  Auer.  For  this 
object  your  contributions  in  money  are  invited  to-night.  God  be  praised  ! 
that  by  this  offering  of  money  each  of  us  can  do  something  to  glorify  the 
grace  of  God  to  our  own  souls.  God  be  praised  !  that  He  permits  us  such 
an  opportunity  to  express  our  gratitude  to  Him,  for  the  example  and  labors 
of  Gottlieb  Auer. 


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SPECIAL  NOTICE. 


It  is  proposed  to  rebuild  Trinity  Church*  Monrovia, 
Liberia,  West  Africa,  as  a  Memorial  of  Bishop  Auer.  Con¬ 
tributions  for  this  object  are  most  earnestly  solicited. 

RICH'  B.  DUANE, 

Secretary  and  General  Age?it  of  the  Foreign  Committee 
23  Bible  House,  New  York,  Nov.  2,  1874. 


*  Destroyed  by  five  on  the  1 8 1 h  of  March,  1873 


